This book contains sketches made in and around Edinburgh during Turner's visit to Scotland in July and August 1801. Finberg (1961, p.74) points out the novel freedom and rapidity of many of the drawings in the Scottish sketchbooks, suggesting that they mark the final disconnection from the topographical discipline of Turner's youth. It seems likely that the atmosphere of Scotland, especially of its mountains, contributed largely to his sense of emancipation; cf. some of his experiments with Welsh subjects of about this date.

Similar wash or watercolour views of Edinburgh to that shown are on ff.I, 7v-8 (cont. on 9) and 10. The remainder of the sketches are in pencil only.